Howarth Timber & Building Supplies has strengthened its management structure with the addition of four area managers.

Responsible for setting a forward-thinking merchanting strategy across the full branch network, the new area managers will engage with individual branches on group-wide initiatives and improvements.

They are part of the newly-formed senior leadership team, and will convey the company’s vision for the future to the branches and support them.

Two of the area managers, Gary Ford and Geoff Cosslett, have been with Howarth Timber for many years, and have stepped up to the area management positions in London and East Anglia and North Lancashire respectively.

Ian Williams, area manager for Manchester and West Yorkshire, has more than 12 years’ experience in the builders' merchant sector, having worked with Travis Perkins as a regional manager before joining Howarth Timber. Jack Taylor, who also joins Howarth Timber from Travis Perkins, where he was a regional director, will be responsible for the East Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Midlands region.

The roles were created to allow Howarth Timber to sustain and oversee the growth of its merchant branch network.

Howarth Timber & Building Supplies’ Managing Director, Nick Howarth said: “The new area management team is perfectly balanced between people who know our business inside-out and those from outside the company who bring new thinking and ideas.

“The creation of the new management division provides a vital point of contact between the branches and the senior leadership team, and will help us to lay the platform for Howarth Timber’s sustained growth and consolidate its position as the UK’s leading builders’ merchant.

“We have recruited an excellent group and I look forward to working closely with Gary, Geoff, Ian and Jack in the future as we develop and implement our strategy for the company.”